The Best BYO Restaurants in Sydney for Your Next Night Out
Our guide to the best BYO restaurants in Sydney will make you the hero at your next group dinner!
Sometimes, all you need is a night out with the crew at a fun, buzzing BYO restaurant in Sydney. Whether you're looking to save some money on drinks or bring your favourite bottle of wine to enjoy with your meal, these restaurants have got you covered.
From cosy Italian joints to trendy Asian fusion spots, there's a BYO option for every palate and occasion. We've scoured the city to find the top spots that not only allow you to bring your own bottles, but also happen to serve up delicious cuisine.
So, grab that special bottle you've been saving or your trusty budget bottle and get ready for a memorable dining experience at one of the best BYO restaurants in Sydney.
Don't Tell Aunty
In Surry Hills, Don't Tell Aunty is bringing its brand of ‘unauthentic Indian fare’ to the local foodies. The sister venue to popular Pinky Ji, this eatery boasts a fun and cheeky atmosphere, whilst putting a twist on tradition by using ingredients that aren’t typically found in Indian cooking.
The drinks menu complements the kitchen's efforts with a strong wine selection and a playful gin and mezcal-centric cocktail list, though you can bring your own bottle of wine any night of the week for a corkage fee of $20.
414 Bourke Street, Surry Hills
Lil Sis
Chippendale's understated gem, Lil Sis, embraces a Parisian 'cave à vins' vibe, catering to diverse wine tastes from old to new world, natural, biodynamic, and traditional.
There's no fuss here, just a straightforward drink list and welcoming staff. Our pro tip is to buy a bottle of wine from Lil Sis' bottle shop and take it upstairs to their bar along with some of their delicious snacks if you're feeling a little peckish.
You can also take your vino next door to The Abercrombie and Casa Rosa for a corkage fee per bottle. The best part is that they're open till very, very late, so you can make a night of it.
Sitchu Tip: Corkage is free on Sundays when you buy a bottle of wine from the Lil Sis bottle shop!
100 Broadway, Chippendale
Loulou
Loulou Bistro, Boulangerie & Traiteur in Lavender Bay, offers a triple treat, capturing European deli vibes and the cosmopolitan essence of New York bistros.
The bistro boasts classic French fare, while the boulangerie excels in bread, charcuterie, and wines. On BYO Tuesdays & Wednesdays, guests can bring their treasured wines to complement the traditional French dishes.
Imagine your vintage Chardonnay accentuating grilled spatchcock, or a premium Bordeaux elevating a 600g bone-in Wagyu sirloin — that's certainly worth a $20 corkage fee.
61 Lavender Street, Milsons Point
Bar Reggio
Bar Reggio exudes a charmingly worn-in Italian feel, and that's exactly why we love it. The welcoming, rustic atmosphere draws in a diverse crowd—locals, families, office groups—united in their love for hearty, traditional Italian food that feels like home.
The BYO option for just $3 per person adds to the laid-back vibe, making every visit a relaxed, memorable Italian feast. It's an affordable corkage fee, making this the perfect spot for a budget-friendly, wine-infused get-together with friends, featuring a delectable lineup of pasta, pizza, and Pinot Noir.
135 Crown Street, Darlinghurst
Cairo Takeaway
In Enmore, this Egyptian eatery offers fresh, authentic, tricked-out feeds. Popular for food-to-go, there is also a little cosy courtyard if you're lucky to snag a table.
Cairo Takeaway serves taameyya, an Egyptian-style falafel that uses fava beans instead of chickpeas. Made to order, it’s crunchy and golden on the outside, and crumbly and bright green on the inside, just as it is in the owner's hometown of Cairo. BYO is available, but for wine only!
81 Enmore Road, Newtown
Garfish
For some seriously good seafood north side of the bridge, head straight to Garfish. Fresh fish is served just the way you want it – grilled, spiced or woodfired, in two distinct locations.
Overlooking Manly Cove, Garfish has a woodfired oven and a cocktail and wine bar, SuGarfish. Up the hill from the harbour, Garfish Crows Nest soaks up the curbside café culture of Crows Nest.
Both restaurants are BYO bottled wine only. Manly offers BYO all day on Monday and Tuesday and Crows Nest offer up Tuesday all day and Saturday lunch - which sounds like a great way to kick off the week, if you ask us!
Manly and Crows Nest
Emma’s Snack Bar
The Inner West has a special place in its heart reserved for Emma’s Snack Bar. A regular pit stop for locals, food lovers flock from near and far to sample Emma's authentic Lebanese street food and moreish share plates.
Note to self: Emma’s fills up quickly on the weekends, so bring your bottle (with a small corkage per person) along with you, and show up early to guarantee a spot.
59 Liberty Street, Enmore
Now that you have read through our list of the best BYO restaurants in Sydney, it is time to explore the rest of the city's dining scene. Whether you're after authentic Italian pasta or spicy Indian, there's a restaurant in Sydney that caters to your taste buds.
